Description:Wreck of the Santa, Menorca, Balearic Islands. The Santa, formally named the “Ulia” and later the “Isla de Santa Clara” was built in 1947 by the Astlleros de tomas Ruiz de Velasco S.A in Bilbao, Spain. The vessel was a side trawler working out of Pasajes in northwestern Spain until 1982 when she changed owners to Panakarine S.A of Panama who then renamed her the Santa. Little is known of the vessel following this change, until the 20th of April 1983 when she suffered an engine failure 45 miles to the northeast of the Balearic island of Menorca during a severe storm. Rescue effort were reportedly held away for some time as she dumped contraband tobacco overboard.
She was later towed into Mahon harbour where she was immediately abandoned by her crew.
After remaining at the navel base in Mahon for some years, she was finally towed out to sea and scuttled by the Navy in July 1988. The wreck of the Santa today lies 1.3 km off the south east coast of Menorca at a depth of 47 metres. Ironically, for all the years she spent fishing the Atlantic, she has now become a home and haven for myriad Mediterranean species, an artificial reef laying peacefully off Menorca.
This image is the very first photograph to be taken of her following her sinking, when she was discovered on the 10th of October 1997 by Oceanic Research, following many months of research into her history and possible location. For the full story visit www.oceanic-research.com.